Getting on a bit is no longer an excuse
Here are 11 inspirational year oldies who have matured like fine wines. A great mix of international icons who can still show the young ‘uns a thing or two. Life begins it 40.
(There’s also a trio of impressive have-a-go heroes at the end who are special in their own sort of way.)
Nico Vouilloz
The undisputed King of Downhill still has the racing bug. For the past few years Nico’s been dabbling in enduro racing, rally car driving and even e-Bike racing!
Here’s a great helmetcam of him slicing his way an enduro stage in typically looks-slow-but-is-actually-mega-fast Nico style.
Richie Schley
One of the Godfathers of Canadian Freeride – or should that be Fro-ride? – Schley is now more often found in Europe doing product testing and development and being on hand to scare MTB journos down various insane trails at Press Camps.
Wade Simmons
Another hucking Cannuck. There’s not many riders who look so at ease – and at home – in the juicy Canadian forests as Wade Simmons. Watch this two minute vid of Simmons in his element.
Hans Rey (with bonus Brian)
The true age of Hans Rey is one of mountain biking’s best kept secrets. The weird thing is, he’s always looked old even back in the day. Watch Rey and fellow Californian Senior Brian Lopes rip around their local trails.
Tim Ponting
A veteran of the early days of UK Downhill, Ponting appears in this video as if he’s just been beamed forward from his 90s hey day. Flouro bike, huge riser bars, MX clothing, covered in cuts and scabs. For some old skool riders, Ponting will always have a special place.
Nigel Page
Page was always one of the friendliest and most unassuming characters on the UK and International DH scene. Page still races the odd Masters race and a few enduros. He still gets on podiums. This is a vid of him typically enjoying himself on a bike with a mate.
Will Longden
Ex-bike downhill racer Longden can still be found at many a DH race now that he’s team manager of Madison Saracen. As well as looking after the likes of Manon Carpenter, Longden still slaps on a number board and races as well. Here’s one of Claudio’s World Cup helmetcams where Longden doesn’t hang about!
Kirt Voreis
Voreis has seen it all and done it all, well most of it anyway. A stalwart of the North American MTB scene. It was great to see Voreis unleashed in this recent promo film for Fox clothing. Still got it.
Crawford Carrick Anderson
CCA has been riding and racing enduros before most people had heard of them. A real all-round rider who’s most at home sliding and slithering around damp and rooty woodland. As this video shows.
Steve Peat
You can’t not include The Guvnor can you?
Missy Giove
Red Bull don’t allow their vids to be embedded elsewhere so we can’t show you the vid of Giove’s return to Downhill racing at the 2015 Windham DH World Cup but you can view it here.
The weird and wonderful General Public
Sometimes when you’re searching through YouTube and Facebook you come across the most amazing things…
50 year old BMX guy
76 year old in 1950
Who knows how old this guy is!
That’s one way to make traffic give you some room during your daily commute.